Dental Health Tips

So you just had an amazing steak dinner and now chunks of pesky meat are stuck between your teeth – naturally, you would reach for a toothpick to get the food debris out, but is that a good idea?

Toothpicks have been used by people all over the world for many decades. In fact, they are the oldest form of dental hygiene tools that date back to as far as 3500 BC. But it does not mean that you should rely on them at all times. 

• Sure, toothpicks are very helpful when you immediately need to get a chunk of food out from in between your teeth, but you must be very careful because they can easily poke and irritate your gums and teeth in ways that are not safe for your oral health.

The constant poking and prodding from a toothpick in the same area can lead to inflammation, bleeding, irritation, and sensitivity which can develop into a sore spot. 

• So what should you do when you are out and about and want to clean your teeth with something stuck in them? Dentists at Vitarelli Dental Saddle River recommend carrying a dental floss at all times with you. You can keep them in your car, your purse, or wallet and when the need arises, use them!

Dental floss is an amazing and safer way to get food particles to come out of hard places to reach in your mouth. But keep in mind, if you find yourself with food particles stuck in your teeth often, then dentists say that there could be an underlying issue such as a hole in your tooth, shifting teeth, or poor fillings.

• If you are using toothpicks all the time to remove food debris because it keeps getting stuck in your teeth all the time, it is time to head to your dentist for periodontal therapy. Your dentist will be able to immediately find out irregularities with your teeth and gum and if there is something that is bothering you, they will give you permanent solutions. 

Even if you don’t have a serious condition, it is a good idea to regularly visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings to keep your mouth health top-notch. 

• We at Vitarelli Dental do not recommend excessive use of toothpicks when you need to get rid of particles stuck in your teeth. If the need arises, keep a dental floss nearby at all times for a much safer solution. 

If you’re looking for a credible dentist in Saddle River, call Vitarelli dental for an appointment for services ranging from restorative, preventative, and cosmetic dentistry. We have been serving the Saddle River area for many years. Our specialty is offering you a friendly environment so you and your family can easily come and get their oral health looked at. 

You are probably pretty aware of how important brushing your teeth for good oral hygiene is. But along with brushing your teeth, flossing is also a very important part of oral hygiene if you want perfect teeth.

Flossing your teeth can help remove plaque buildup by getting rid of food particles stuck in between your teeth, a place where a traditional toothbrush can never really reach. 

But some people find it difficult to use traditional floss since it requires a technique that you must learn. Some people do it wrong and end up with bleeding gums. If you have been struggling with traditional floss, try a floss pick today.

Both traditional and floss picks contain a thin filament made of fiber coated in wax so it can easily slide between your teeth and help you clean them. But which is more effective? Let’s see what dentists at Vitarelli Dental in Saddle River have to say.

Traditional Floss

• Regular dental floss has a very long history. It is extremely effective when it comes to removing plaque-causing bacteria from your mouth. Floss removes the bacteria making sure that your teeth’s enamel stays safe. It can also prevent several gum diseases making it an extremely crucial part of your dental hygiene.

Floss Picks

• Floss picks are a little different from traditional floss because of the way they are made. These are single-use picks that can be disposed of after use. A thin filament is attached to the pick so you can easily insert it in between your teeth and clean them. They are easier to use and anyone can just pick them and start cleaning their teeth.

Research has found that both traditional floss and floss picks are equally effective for cleaning your teeth as long as you know how to use them. 

Which Is Better – Dental Floss or Floss Picks

• Which one of these is better all comes down to the user. Since both are very effective, you’ll need to decide which is convenient. Even when you know how to use traditional dental floss, you may still want to use floss picks for the convenience they offer. 

Dentists say it doesn’t really matter which you use as long as you are using them regularly to maintain oral hygiene alongside brushing your teeth and regular dentist visits.

Maintain a Pristine Smile With This Big Tip

• Brushing and flossing daily will help you keep your teeth clean, but sometimes there are underlying issues such as plaque developing in an area that is invisible to the eye. In such cases, only a dentist can help you out.

This is why the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your dentist at least two times a year with a gap of sixth months. With regular dental checkups (periodontal therapy), you and your dentist can help keep underlying dental conditions from becoming worse. If your dentist is allowed to check your teeth regularly, they can even help you prevent most gum diseases and other oral conditions, allowing you to maintain a pristine smile for as long as you want.

One of the many things a dentist can do to help your children have strong and healthy teeth is applying a dental sealant. A dental sealant is a very thin coating that is made from a special plastic applied to the chewing surface of the teeth of the children at the back of their mouth. 

Since teeth at the back are typically the ones that show signs of decay first, it is very important for parents to take extra steps and protect them. Dental sealants are a perfect way to do this – they make it possible for the teeth to prevent food particles and germs from sticking in the grooves which are the primary cause of tooth decay.

Is Your Child The Right Age for Dental Sealants?

• Dental sealants can be applied to the child’s teeth as soon as permanent morals have erupted. This is usually between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Once the morals are out, it is a very good idea for parents to take their child to a dentist and have the sealant applied. 

Sealants are typically applied at the dentist’s office, in fact, Vitarelli Dental in Saddle River does this on a daily basis. It is a very fast and painless procedure so you shouldn’t really feel hesitant to bring your children. There are no scary tools involved, no drilling necessary, or any other procedures necessary.

• The only thing that will happen before the sealant is applied is that the dentist will clean and dry the teeth before they can apply a special gel to help with the sealant. Moreover, dental sealants are identically colored to the natural color of the teeth, meaning that they are invisible to the naked eye even when you talk, smile or laugh.

And the best thing about dental sealants is that they tend to last for 5-10 years before a dentist may need to have them replaced – but you need to make sure that you take your child for regular dental checkups for the best health of their teeth. 

• Moreover, regular dental hygiene is also very important to keep teeth healthy and strong. Encourage your children to brush and floss their teeth on a daily basis, especially after eating a meal and before going to bed. 

Why Are Sealants Important

• While regular brushing and flossing can help most food particles and plaque stuck on the teeth, nither can actually reach all the way to the grooves and depressions of the teeth. This is where sometimes food particles can get stuck and cause bacteria to grow. 

And while fluoride from a fluoride toothpaste or water can help prevent tooth decay, it cannot protect the entire surface of the teeth, hence a sealant becomes necessary. If you or your child have plaque or have trouble with frequent tooth decay, talk to your dentist today and opt for dental sealants as soon as possible.

Visit Vitarelli Dental today and speak with one of our top-tiered dentists today. We will give you the best dental advice available in Saddle River. 

Teaching your children the importance of dental health and hygiene at a young age typically goes a long way. But children are not easy to work with and getting them to brush their teeth on a daily basis is a task every parent struggles with.

At Viteralli Dental, Saddle River, we specialize in working with kids. This is why we have developed this comprehensive guide to help parents understand the importance of oral hygiene for children as well as how they can get their kids to brush their teeth regularly. 

Set An Example For Your Child

• Parents are the biggest role model for their children. You may have already noticed that your children tend to copy every move you make. They mimic the way you talk, the way you walk, and the habits you have.

Since children follow parents, it is important for you to set a good example for them. Brush your teeth every day in front of your children to give them the idea that this is an important part of their and your life. This is easily the best way to help your child start brushing their teeth regularly and make them understand that this is a part of their daily routine. 

• If you still struggle with getting your children to follow in your footsteps, we recommend making the activity fun. Why not try and sing a song when you brush your teeth or reserve a special kind of fun activity along with brushing. Any activity that creates a sense of fun will likely attract the children and they may feel excited to brush their teeth.

Don’t Worry About Using a Toothpaste

• As it turns out, most kids don’t like brushing their teeth due to toothpaste. Maybe they don’t like the taste, or maybe they just don’t feel comfortable with it. Your aim should be to help them learn about brushing their teeth and that can be done without the use of toothpaste initially.

Just get them to pick the toothbrush and use it every morning and then slowly introduce the toothpaste. The brushing won’t be as effective but they will gradually learn how to brush their teeth.

Get Your Family Involved

• As we mentioned earlier, parents are the greatest role models a child can follow. Instead of helping your child learn how to brush their teeth on their own, get other members of the family involved. Make it a family activity by inviting everyone in the household to brush their teeth in the morning.

You have to start doing this when your child is too young to brush their own teeth. To set an example, try brushing your partner’s teeth so it is easy for the child to accept you brushing their teeth. 

Don’t Get Frustrated

• If things don’t work out the way you intended them to, don’t let frustration get the best of you. Some children are hard to work with but if you keep trying and set a positive note, they will eventually start brushing their teeth on their own.

Don’t punish them for not following you, just make sure you are consistent with them and keep on trying until they finally follow you.

For more information on dental health for toddlers and kids over the age of 7, book an appointment with Viteralli Dental today. 

One of the biggest misconceptions, or call it a myth in dentistry is that sugar directly causes tooth decay. Whether you believe it or not, sugar does not directly cause cavities. 

The truth that you probably don’t know is that sugar only causes cavities if there are cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria are capable of processing the sugar directly into enamel demineralizing. Of course, that is not to say that sugar eating in large amounts is safe if you keep your mouth free of cavity-causing bacteria.

This is simply to say that if you do not have a high amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your teeth, you are at a lower risk of developing cavities from consuming sugar.

With that said, how do you eat sugar and prevent cavities? Here’s what the dentists at Vitarelli Dental, Saddle River have to say.

Limit Sugar Consumption

This one is a no brainer. While some of us have a very demanding sweet-tooth, it does not mean satisfying your sugar cravings will result in cavities. According to dentists, when you eat something, the pH levels of your mouth start to drop and it starts to produce acids.

Acid, as you may have already guessed, is not good for your mouth or teeth. The bacteria that cause cavities depend on these acidic conditions of the mouth to thrive. The acid, when it becomes concentrated, can also dissolve important minerals, especially the tooth enamel which causes teeth to become weak for the bacteria to attack.

Just remember, anything you eat changes the level of pH in your mouth which exposes your teeth to cavity-causing bacteria. So if you want to avoid cavities and eat sugar at the same time, avoid snacking on sugar frequently. Your mouth can only fend off against acid environment 3-4 times a day until it is overwhelmed and bacteria is open to attack the teeth.

How Susceptible Are You To Cavities?

Did you know that dentists can actually test how bad cavity-causing bacteria on your mouth is? If you visit the dentist and they test the magnitude of these bacteria, and if it turns out high, it means that eating any amount of sugar will leave you at a greater risk of forming cavities. 

The good news is, dentists are also able to diagnose this problem and recommend you numerous ways such as the use of fluoride toothpaste to lower the bad bacteria in your mouth. 

Start Following Healthy Habits After Consuming Sugar

If you want to avoid cavities and tooth decay at all costs, then develop healthy habits after you have had sugar. Make sure you always clean your teeth after eating, just make sure that you don’t scrub the enamel of your teeth aggressively with a toothbrush because, after a meal, the enamel is usually in a weakened state due to acid attack.

We at Vitarelli Dental recommend brushing your teeth after at least 30 minutes have passed. This gives your mouth enough time to redeposit minerals on the enamel of your teeth. 

After you have had sugary foods and drinks, swish your mouth with plain water to help remove any food particles. You can also grab a pH correcting oral rinse from a departmental store to help protect your teeth from acid attacks and decay. Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth every day for the best oral health. 

Conclusion

Eating sugar and avoid cavities is completely possible if you keep a close watch on the pH levels of your mouth. Visit your dentist regularly for periodontal therapy today and find out just how much dental cavity-causing bacteria is in your mouth.

Don’t stop eating sugar just because you’ve heard that it can cause cavities. If you are careful and follow the tips above, along with regular dental visits, and optimal dental care you can easily indulge in as many sweet treats as you want without damaging your teeth! 

Toothache easily breaks your day apart. It can range from mild to severe, it can be constant or intermittent, or it could be throbbing in and around your teeth and gums. However you feel the pain, it isn’t something easily endured.

Toothache can sometimes result in mind to severe fever, which makes it even more worse. In a condition like this, many people reach out for anything they can find to get rid of the pain immediately. But no matter how bad the pain is, do not take aspirin for it.

Dentists Recommend Against Aspirin for Toothache – Here’s Why

• A lot of people may have told you how you can get immediate relief from toothache by placing aspirin on the affected tooth. But the dentists recommend highly against this practice.

Placing aspirin on your teeth is a very dangerous practice because once the aspirin is gone, it will leave behind a white, chemical burn on the area. This typically results in a painful burn on the soft tissue below the teeth and it can last for several days.

• Putting an aspirin on your teeth isn’t going to make the pain go, it is only going to worsen things for you. You’ll end up dealing with not only the toothache but also the painful chemical burn left behind it.

It’s very unfortunate that many people don’t know the effects of placing aspirin on your teeth. Even worse is people continue to use this remedy. The reason why aspirin leaves behind a painful burn on the soft tissue is due to Acetylsalicylic Acid. 

• Dentists advise against acidic food and beverage because the acid can damage the teeth enamel and if it’s strong, as in the case of aspirin, it can burn your tissue especially when it is placed on something as delicate as your gum tissue. 

In simple words, do not use this remedy at all costs.

So What Can You Do For Immediate Toothache Relief?

• There are many other methods you can try before you go to the dentist to find the root cause of the toothache. The easiest is to reach out for ibuprofen or acetaminophen pain control management pills that are easily available over the counter.

You can also use toothpaste that provides relief from toothache and sensitivity. Just place a bit of toothpaste on the top of the affected teeth and let it rest there for a bit. After about 2-3 minutes, rinse your mouth with fresh water.

• You can also use mouthwashes designed to clean the teeth and provide immediate relief from toothache. If the pain persists and doesn’t go away in two days, immediately visit your dentist and let them know.

Consistent toothache is a red flag for many oral diseases. If you ignore the pain and try to manage it with painkillers and other homemade remedies, it will gradually lead to plaque, decay, and even periodontal disease. 

So make sure every time you have a severe or throbbing toothache that refuses to go away, visit the dentist immediately. Vitarelli Dental in Saddle River is always accepting new patients. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for an appointment or just walk into one of our dentist offices. 

By now you are already familiar that what you eat and drink not only affects your overall health, but it can also affect your oral health including your teeth and gums.

Beverages have several effects on your oral health but it typically depends on a few things, but most of the time, the damage or good a beverage is doing to your teeth comes down to their acidity levels.

For instance, any beverage that has at least 5.5 or less pH value, it is considered acidic. And when you drink or eat acidic beverages or foods, it can soften the enamel which can result in sensitive teeth, leaving your teeth open to damage. 

Moreover, drinks that have a significant sugar portion can also pose several threats to your teeth. Do you know what you are drinking? We at Viteralli Dental recommend that you drink beverages with caution.

Knowledge is your best friend when it comes to protecting your teeth and gum from potential damage. This list consists of common beverages and how they affect your teeth – both in good and bad ways!

Beer – Somewhat Good

• It may be surprising to hear, but some evidence suggests that beer is actually beneficial for your teeth. There isn’t much data available but researchers say that hops in the beer have a positive effect on teeth and gums.

As surprising as this may sound, beer can also protect your teeth from cavities. However, this does not mean that you excessively drink beer because alcohol in this beverage still poses several threats to your overall health if not taken in with caution.

Water – Neutral But Helpful

• Water does not affect your teeth in good or bad ways. However, if you are living in an area that has water with fluoride in it, then it provides you a significant benefit by protecting the enamel of your teeth.

When you drink a lot of water and stay well hydrated, the flow of saliva is significantly improved in the mouth. When saliva flow is good, it can help remove harmful bacteria from your mouth. Saliva also makes it possible to protect your teeth from decay because it may spread protective minerals within your mouth to help protect your teeth and gums.

Soda – Bad For Your Teeth

• As you may have guessed already, soda and other beverages containing high amounts of sugar are bad for your teeth. What you may not know is that even sugar-free variants are bad for your teeth.

According to research, the enamel dissolution occurring from sodas, whether regular or sugar-free, is pretty much the same. 

• What effects your teeth is the acidity level of the drink and because soda drinks can be acidic, they can pose a threat to your teeth.

Fruit Juices – Good and Bad

• Whether fruit juices do good to your teeth or bad, it all depends on the pH level of the fruit beverage you are having. For instance, orange juice has a pH of 3.5 while cranberry has a pH of 2.6.

So next time you are drinking fruit juice, make sure it isn’t high on acidity level!

Milk – Best for Your Teeth

• Milk is really good for your teeth. The proteins and minerals such as calcium in milk can help protect your enamel as well as make your teeth strong and healthy. Milk also prevents the growth of several cavity-forming bacteria in the mouth.

Dentists recommend drinking milk every day for stronger teeth, especially for young individuals who are still in the growing phase. 

With regular brushing and flossing, and routine dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist, you can easily protect your teeth and gums from damage. Keep a good eye at what you are eating and drinking and you’ll enjoy a beautiful and natural smile for a long time to come. 

When it comes to your wellbeing and overall oral health, you eat what you are. Try consuming too much candy, soda, or other sugary food and you will end up with tooth decay. There is enough research that suggests when you are on a bad diet consisting of sugar and acidic food, your oral health is the first one to deteriorate. 

This is why eating healthy food is so important for your overall health. Here are five best foods for your teeth as revealed by the dentist. Use these in your diet to stay healthy and fit with pristine teeth!

Yogurt

• Yogurt is very rich in calcium, protein, and probiotics, making it one of the best foods to eat when you want to strengthen your bones and teeth. The probiotics – good bacteria – found in yogurt also have a very positive impact on your gums.

Bad bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay typically depend on the acidic and sugary environment in the mouth to thrive. If you add more plain yogurt to your diet, the pH levels within the mouth are balanced and bad bacteria are forced to move out, making way for healthier gums and teeth.

Apples

• The American Dental Association recommends staying away from sweet foods but fruits are an exception. There are many fruits like apples which may be sweet but they are very high in water and fiber. Apples basically produce more saliva in your mouth which rinses away food particles in the mouth and as well the bad bacteria.

Another big benefit of eating fibrous fruit is that they can stimulate the gums. Although eating apples isn’t the same as brushing or flossing your teeth, it will still clear away most bacteria and food particles in the mouth.

• Try your best to add apples to your diet and eat them in slices during lunch to give your mouth a good scrubbing after an afternoon meal.

Celery

• Celery may not be everyone’s favorite food due to its bland taste and excess water, but just like apples, it does the same job as a toothbrush by scraping away any food particles and bacteria residing on the teeth and gums. 

It also provides vitamins A and C which are two antioxidants particularly good for your gums. If the taste is what keeps you away from celery, then combine it with a dip such as cream cheese to give it good taste and eat away as much as you can!

Cheese

• Cheese is loved by a lot of people, but now you have a reason to eat this tasty food. There are several studies that found eating cheese can raise the pH levels in the mouth which decreases the risk of tooth decay.

Chewing cheese is good for your oral health because your mouth has to produce a lot of salivae to break it down. Cheese also contains protein, calcium and other important nutrients that give your enamel a much-needed boost.

Leafy Greens

• Leafy green vegetables are an important part of any diet. They are full of minerals and vitamins while being extremely low in calories. Vegetables like spinach and kale promote oral health as well because they are high in calcium.

These vegetables also contain folic acid that provides several health benefits including treating gum disease. If you don’t like the taste of leafy greens, try adding a bit of spinach in your salad or throw some kale as a topping in your favorite food. Greens can also be mixed with vegetable smoothies.

Visiting a Dentist

Although these superfoods are great for your oral health, you should never ignore going to the dentist. The American Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist for routine dental exams and cleaning after every six months for optimal oral health.

You should visit your dentist as soon as you get the chance and have your oral health inspected. There are a lot of underlying issues that take time to show their symptoms but once they do, they are hard to treat. So catch mouth conditions before they get bad by visiting a dentist today. 

Green tea may well be great for your overall health and weight loss, but new research suggests that it has benefits for your oral cavity as well. Green tea has several compounds that help in controlling inflammation and fighting back bacterial infections. The hot beverage also has antioxidants which have many healthy attributes.

But how does it benefit your oral health? Here are five ways green tea benefits your mouth health.

Helps Control Periodontal Disease

Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help control periodontal disease (gum disease). A recent survey of 1,000 participants suggests that those individuals who drink green tea regularly had healthier gums than those who don’t.

Another study recently held found positive results when people were asked to eat candies containing green-tea extracts. If your gums continue to bleed or swell, don’t wait to visit a dentist for periodontal therapy. 

Prevents Cavities

Green tea has the power to control bacteria and reduce acidity in saliva and dental plaque. It is recently found to be a useful tool in preventing future cavities. A study recently revealed that people who rinse their mouth with green tea for five minutes had fewer bacteria and acid in their mouths and as well as reduced bleeding from gums.

There are several other research studies that suggest drinking green tea regularly shows promising results in preventing conditions like tooth decay.

Protects Against Cancerous Tumour Growth

The rich antioxidants of green tea have been shown to protect your body from cancerous tumor growth as well as protect against cellular damage. In a study recently held in Texas, green-tea extract was given to several patients with precancerous lesions of oral mucosa and the findings show there was a slowed progression in oral cancer.

There have been several animal studies that have also found that tea compounds can prevent cancer growth. 

Prevents Tooth Loss

Green tea prevents cavities and gum disease, so it makes perfect sense that it also protects your teeth and prevents tooth loss. Recent research reported that women and men who had more than one cup of green tea a day were more likely to hold onto their teeth than those who didn’t consume enough green tea.

Fresher Breath

Green tea has time and time been associated with fresher breath because it kills microbes that promote bad breath in the mouth. A recent study measured the level of smelly compounds in the mouths of patients after they were given green-tea extract to consume. At the same time, another substance was given that prevented bad breath.

The research findings suggested that green tea was far better in preventing bad breaths than the other substance including parsley seed oil and chewing gum.

Don’t Like Green Tea?

Green tea is great for your health but there are many individuals who do not like drinking green tea. If you are one of them and still want to reap the benefits of green tea for your oral health, then we suggest using oral care products that are rich with green tea extracts.

There are many kinds of toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral products containing green tea. You can even find chewing gum with green-tea extracts. Make good use of these products if you are not a fan of the tea itself. 

Green tea is great for your oral health but it doesn’t mean you should stop visiting your dentist. The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist for regular dental exams and cleanings on a bi-yearly basis. So make sure you visit your dentist every six months to get a good picture of how your oral-health is functioning.

Vitarelli Dental in Saddle River is accepting new dental patients all year round. Check our website for appointment details.